On May 26, 2025, Prof. David Harel, President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, delivered a powerful and emotionally charged address at a ceremonial event in Halle, Germany, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany. While the anniversary celebrated official ties between the two nations, the event — titled “Science and Culture as Bridgebuilders” — placed particular emphasis on the crucial role that scientific cooperation has played in building and sustaining those relations from the outset. It was co-organized by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the State Chancellery and Ministry of Culture of Saxony-Anhalt.

 

Speaking before an audience of some 200 invited guests — including senior figures from European science, diplomacy, and cultural institutions — Prof. Harel highlighted science as a unique and enduring tool for connection, reconciliation, and sustained cooperation between nations — all in the service of the common good.

 

But his central message was focused squarely on the present. Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and the intensifying humanitarian crisis, Harel warned that Israeli science is facing a moment of profound risk. He pointed to the European Union’s announced reassessment of its trade and scientific agreements with Israel — including its participation in the Horizon Europe program — in light of possible violations of human rights.

 

“This, therefore, is the connection between Gaza and science. A continuing war in Gaza, more killing and oppression, more population transfer and more territory takeover – will lead to less science funding, less collaboration, less Israeli science, and as a result less Israeli hi-tech, less innovation, and ultimately a far, far weaker Israel.”

 

Photo: © Markus Scholz/Leopoldina 

 

Calling for an immediate end to the war, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and renewed diplomatic efforts toward a regional resolution, Harel urged German academic institutions and government to act with clarity and resolve. He called on them to help prevent the collapse of scientific partnerships by publicly defending the principles of academic freedom and collaboration — even while voicing justified concerns over political leadership and military conduct.

 

He further appealed to German academic leaders to resist punitive measures that could isolate Israeli academia, warning that such steps risk undermining precisely the values Europe seeks to uphold. Science must not become collateral damage in political conflict, he implied, urging partners to channel their influence toward halting the violence and upholding a shared commitment to knowledge, ethics, and cooperation.

 

“Now, more than ever, far more than ever, Israeli science needs your friendship and your help, based on the premise that the pursuit of knowledge is grounded in shared universal values of academic freedom, intensive collaboration, and the freedom of thought and expression,” he said.

 

The program included opening remarks from Leopoldina President Prof. Bettina Rockenbach, Prime Minister of the State of Saxony-Anhalt Dr. Reiner Haseloff, and Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor. It continued with focused presentations on current Israeli-German cooperation in science and culture. The event underscored not only the achievements of the past six decades, but also the urgent need to defend academic partnerships and shared values amid growing geopolitical instability.